Soda

Went to "Janice, a Bistro" in Ho-Hokus for the first time last night. It's a BYO with a delicious menu, attentive service, and waaaaaaaaaaay too much noise (due to limited space, no sound-dampening in effect, and a cacaphonous kitchen merely partitoned off from the room of booths), but you should go there and ask the patrons directly. You'll have a fun time, andmaybe learn what you'd like to know. JMHO. -s.

Curls, I agree with some of your assessment... It's certainly not the best restaurant in the area (Lorena's, Luke's Kitchen, and Verjus -- all in Maplewood -- rate higher with me), but I live in South Orange, and the EG people have put a LOT of money into the place, so, from my own admittedly boosterish perspective, I want to see it do well... The service isn't yet as consistently professional as I'd hope for, but I do very much enjoy some of Chef Lustbader's dishes, a few of which he featured at Centanni (also in Maplewood) before signing on with "ABOVE". While I'd hardly put it on my Top Ten NJ Eateries List yet, there's enormous potential there. I encourage you to give it another try, perhaps before attending a performnce at SOPAC. -s.

Yes, GO, by all means! If you come by train, it's just steps from the South Orange NJ Transit train station, and if you're driving, park free in the garage behind EG (Eden Gourmet to those of you not from the area), just off Vose Avenue... BTW, don't miss the oppty to SHOP at EG, either before or after your meal at ABOVE. -s.

Chef Jesse Rocks. We here in South Orange/Maplewood love him! http://www.heartandsoulcateringinc.com/ -s.

I may wind up cross-posting this to the dining blog, but not yet: approvals are pending... http://www.gourmetretailer.com/gourmetreta...bafea7e22?imw=Y

Same parent company.

I won't go any further than saying this: Foodies around here aren't going to Whole Foods any more... http://www.edengourmet.com/ Anybody else been there yet? -s.

Irving's on Rte 10 in Livingston IS the new Katz's, hot dogs & all!

I love it that Zod's dad runs the kitchen. It's a sweet little place, and I hope it finds an appreciative and loyal following. Ya weren't impressed? Wanna swoon? Drop twice the bucks at Blu, but don't complain about Next Door. It is what it is. -s.

Stopped by early this morning to check out the breakfast offerings, and ordered Irving's $7.95(!!!) Pastrami Hash/2 Scrambled Eggs/Well-done Home Fries/Rye Toast Combo, plus a bottomless Coffee Cup. Huuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuge breakfast portions! The hash, eggs, and fries, each served on separate plates, were each 2 1/2" X 5". The hash was entirely pastrami--no potato at all (although Mark swears that "it's in there"), which I found to be delightfuly decadent, but also (for some reason) mildly alarming. The eggs were light, creamy, and firm. The home fries were spiked with peppers, but a bit underdone & a tad greasy (I can't believe that I just complained of greasy fries after downing all that pastrami!) The toast & coffee were both fine, and refills were offered without my asking. I was somewhat time-pressed today, but can't wait to return for breakfast with some hungry pals, and savor a more leisurely gut-buster breakfast. I think I'll skip lunch & dinner today... --S.

I stopped by for a late lunch a few days ago, and the front door (which for some reason was locked) was opened for me by one of the waiters, a young fellow named Larry. He looked slightly amazed when I immediately asked for a ticket and proceded to the pastrami counter to order my Full Pastrami-Rye. The kid behind the counter was clearly not used to either carving pastrami or building Katz's-worthy sammiches, but, to his credit, he didn't skimp, and put whatever wouldn't fit between the bread on the side of my plate, on which I also received two pickels (I dislike pickled tomatos also). Larry reappeared behind the drink counter when I ordered my free-refillable fountain drink (Boylan's Cream Soda). Eddie a more senior staffer, came over to see how I liked my lunch, and chatted about the progress made in the three weeks they've been open. The pastrami could've been sliced thinner, but was great. I'll be back. -s.

The kitchen at Cafe Matisse is open to the view of diners, and at any moment you can look in the open window and see who's cooking. Happily, every time I've eaten there, it's been Peter ("The Chef").

Just back from Cafe Matisse. Waaaaaaaaaaay too much vino, but the food & service were top-notch, as usual. Peter & Larry ROCK! -s.

Going tomorrow night. I don't mind leisurely waits between courses, as long as the wine holds out. -s. BTW: I like to hear what my tablemates are saying during a meal, but (I'm old) I sustained a P.I.T.A. hearing loss back in my Fillmore East days, so now when the Cafe's full, that parabolic ceiling really puts the "din" in our dinner. Tables in the corners or the back garden are our only refuge.

We'll be trying daddy O the first night of our August LBI week... Nice Website: http://www.daddyorestaurant.com/ Here are some of our fave LBI eateries: Mustache Bill's, 18th Street Cafe & Off The Hook -- Barnegat Light The Plantation (Same mgmt as daddy O), Caneel Bay & Harvey Cedars Shellfish --Harvey Cedars Yellow Fin, Blue, Panzone's, Octopuss's Garden, and Boulevard Clams -- Surf City Chicken Or The Egg & Buckalew's -- Beach Haven -s.